384p.
Publisher: Tor Books
Available Now
Source: From publisher for review
Centuries ago, all was lost in the Last Battle when the Norse gods and goddesses went to war. The elves, the giants, and the gods and goddesses themselves were all destroyed, leaving the Valkyrie Mist one of the only survivors.
Or so she thought.
When a snowy winter descends upon modern-day San Francisco in June, Mist’s quiet existence starts to feel all too familiar. In quick succession, Mist is attacked by a frost giant in a public park and runs into an elf disguised as a homeless person on the streets…and then the man Mist believed was her mortal boyfriend reveals himself to be the trickster god, Loki, alive and well after all these years.
Loki has big plans for the modern world, and he’s been hanging around Mist for access to a staff that once belonged to the great god Odin. Mist is certain of one thing: Loki must be stopped if there is to be any hope for Earth. But the fight is even bigger than she knows….My thoughts:
Because Loki wasn’t the only god to survive.
Norse mythology heavy, I really wanted to dive right into this book. In fact, it was so mythology heavy I had to at times reread sections just so I got it straight. This isn't a bad thing because I do like books that just take you for a ride and hope you catch up. I'm not as familiar with Norse mythology as I'd like to think and this one challenged my knowledge. Yes, I did like that. However, some people might have a bit of a problem with having to go back and reread sections. Perhaps a small section at the end with the terms and gods defined would help.
Mist is a good heroine and a badass valkyrie, but also a bit naïve despite her time with the gods and on midgard. She trusts when I personally didn't think it prudent, but yet I understood as time was short and she had to make decisions fast. If she made a wrong decisions at least she didn't shy away from her responsibility. Her powers are new and she is also in her infancy learning about them. I questioned that since you would have thought she would have had some inkling about the powers because there was no reasoning as to why she was unaware, no magical binding. There is also a hint of a romance between her and a wayward elf but nothing more than that.
I give Mist 3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed the world and the mythology presented. You could tell that it was well researched. I still would have liked a bit more labor done with the characters to draw me in through Mist and her companions. I do think that will easily come as the series progresses and I can see why there was so much spent on the world building. The plot demanded it. I am looking forward to more adventures with Mist and defeating the irrepressible Loki.
I love Norse mythology (thanks to Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston!) and I'm glad to hear this novel is strong in its world-building. I'm a little disappointed that the characters aren't as well fleshed-out as you'd like them to be, so I'm going to wait to see how this series plays out before diving in, but fantastic review, Melissa!(:
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking this is one that will really get going as the series fleshes the characters out.
DeleteI do know my myths, but I also knew while reading it that it was way too much, and it was just so bleh. I was also told it was NA...come on
ReplyDeleteI don't see it as NA at all. It was adult.
DeleteI can't think of Norse without imagining the delicious Chris Hemsworth and the love to hate Tom Hiddleston! I'm a bit surprised that there's no glossary for the gods, especially when the book is so focused on mythology. It sounds like something I would enjoy but I'm curious to see how book 2 works out first before deciding to pick it up.
ReplyDeleteLOL! It wasn't just the gods, but with some of the language as well. Would have loved that glossary.
DeleteOh, hey! I think I read this one! It sounds really familiar, though I read it a while ago (maybe? I don't know when this one came out). Anyway, I remember thinking it was pretty good but not loving it enough to track down the next book. I did like the world, though.
ReplyDeleteI'm still thinking this will really take off later. :)
DeleteI love all the mythology in this and some of the elements you mentioned. First books can have huge info dumps but if the world building is solid I am usually game. Great review Melissa and Happy Valentines Day
ReplyDeleteThe world was very solid. You might really love this one. I just wanted a bit more character.
DeleteHappy VD! (wait... that didn't sound right... LOL)
I agree completely on this one Melissa! I enjoyed it overall, but it was definitely hard to get settled into the story in the beginning because of all the Norse terminology thrown around. A glossary definitely would have been helpful. Still, I'm excited to see what happens next for Mist!
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to hear how it was pronounced as well. I would also love to know what happens next.
DeleteGood to hear it is well researched but sorry the characters weren't quite all you wished they were
ReplyDeleteI think that will come around though... :)
DeleteThis one might not work so well for me. I don't usually do well if I have to reread to comprehend everything. I just don't have enough patience. I do find Norse mythology fascinating though and I'm burnt out on Greek mythology so it's definitely more appealing for that.
ReplyDeleteWell, that might bother you. I can usually get it in the context of the sentence, but so much was thrown in I did have to reread.
DeleteI think you'd really love Mist (the character) but you may not love all the world-building. However, it would be great to hear some of the language spoken!
ReplyDeleteI don't think I've been burnt out yet. :D
ReplyDeleteI am with you, I love Norse mythology. There isn't enough of it for me. I can only think of a handful of books in YA that have Norse mythology. But the problem is the term elf conjures up little green men, or the Keebler guys. I can't get past that to think of an elf as sexy. Anybody else have that problem?
ReplyDeleteI liked this one but you're right, it's quite complex and we need to read and reread some parts to really understand everything. I also agree for the characters it would have been interesting.
ReplyDeleteNice review, Susan Krinard is one of the first paranormal authors I I ever read. I'll add this one to my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. I really like Nors mythology books but I have a hard time finding some that are actually really good. This one sounds like it will have potential. I might wait till book 2 for more.
ReplyDeleteI don't really know a lot of mythology so I think aspects of this book would really confuse me! LOL
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review.
For some reason I don't enjoy reading about mythology. Maybe I haven't found the right book yet.
ReplyDeleteI love Norse mythology, and this sounds like an interesting world. I think I'd like Mist, and I hope the next books in the series impress you more in the character development department (and more in the romance department too :D). Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteOoooh, I love any kind of mythology. This sounds very good. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very good start to a new series. :) One to check out. Thank you!
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